Staff Correspondent

Good Neighbors Bangladesh (GNB) has been honored with the UNESCO-Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development (8th Edition), recognizing its exceptional contributions to teacher development through its GNB Education Programme.

This prestigious global award, presented every two years by UNESCO, celebrates innovative practices that significantly enhance the quality of teaching and learning worldwide. Out of nearly 300 applicants, UNESCO shortlisted 10 organizations globally for this prize. The winners were announced at the World Teachers' Day and UNESCO-Hamdan Award Ceremony in Paris, France. M Mainuddin Mainul, Country Director of Good Neighbors Bangladesh, received the first-place award on behalf of the organization.

GNB’s Education Programme is committed to providing comprehensive educational support to underprivileged children across Bangladesh. Operating six schools across four districts and partnering with 390 more, GNB serves 1,622 students with 49 highly trained teachers in its own schools. Additionally, the programme offers teacher training, benefiting an average of 1,900 teachers annually. These schools focus on raising literacy levels by providing primary and secondary education to vulnerable children, many of whom have been denied their basic right to education.

GNB’s success is attributed to its dedicated teachers, recognized for their expertise, training, and unwavering commitment to tailoring education to each child’s needs. The organization’s emphasis on intellectual growth and test- and contest-based learning has helped students engage more deeply with their studies. Programs like scouting and innovative competitions such as Word Master and Math Maestro foster both academic and social development among students.

This recognition from UNESCO highlights GNB’s critical role in empowering vulnerable communities through education. By preventing child marriage, child labor, and offering a safe, supportive learning environment, GNB’s schools not only improve literacy but also prepare children to become responsible, capable members of society.

In a press release issued yesterday (Saturdey), Good Neighbors Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its education programs, ensuring every child has access to high-quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.